A measles outbreak that started at Disneyland is a reminder that parents should vaccinate their children against the highly contagious disease, Santa Cruz County Health Department officials said Tuesday.More than 50 cases of measles have been reported in Southern California since the outbreak began just before Christmas.There have not been any cases of measles reported on the Central Coast.Measles can spread through a cough or sneeze before a person even knows they have it. The virus is capable of living on surfaces for a long period of time, which makes it harder to track transmission.Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Officer, said, "This is a reminder that you need to protect your kids, and with Disneyland, unfortunately, there were over 40 people that were exposed and were not vaccinated.""First vaccine you get about age 1, and the second dose you get around kindergarten or first grade," Hernandez said.Hernandez recommends that if you didn't receive a vaccination at an early age that you contact your medical provider about receiving an immunization.Most people are vaccinated as kids, however, some parents refuse the vaccination for various reasons, including fears that they can cause autism in young children. Parents can opt out of vaccinations for religious reasons and personal beliefs.5 Disneyland employees diagnosed with measles(CNN) - The happiest place on Earth just got a bit sadder for some of its employees.Five employees were diagnosed with measles, and three of them have fully recovered, Disneyland says."The measles outbreak exposure period of December 17-20 at the Disneyland Resort is over, and all cases from this exposure should have occurred by January 10, 2015," the California Department of Public Health says. "No new cases have been identified in guests who visited after that time period."Disneyland said it was informed of measles cases among employees on January 15.After Orange County health officials notified Disneyland of that on January 7, "We immediately began to communicate to our Cast to raise awareness," the theme park's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said in a statement. Disneyland refers to its employees as cast members."In an abundance of caution, we also offered vaccinations and immunity tests. To date, a few Cast Members have tested positive and some have been medically cleared and returned to work. Cast Members who may have come in contact with those who were positive are being tested for the virus. While awaiting results, they have been put on paid leave until medically cleared."One school in Huntington Beach has barred children who could not prove that they were vaccinated for measles from going to school until January 29, according to the county health agency.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus and spread through the air. It was considered eradicated in the United States in 2000, though 2014 saw a record-breaking number of confirmed cases: 644 from 27 states, according to the CDC. That's "the highest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000," the CDC says on its website.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

A measles outbreak that started at Disneyland is a reminder that parents should vaccinate their children against the highly contagious disease, Santa Cruz County Health Department officials said Tuesday.

More than 50 cases of measles have been reported in Southern California since the outbreak began just before Christmas.

There have not been any cases of measles reported on the Central Coast.

Measles can spread through a cough or sneeze before a person even knows they have it. The virus is capable of living on surfaces for a long period of time, which makes it harder to track transmission.

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Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency Officer, said, "This is a reminder that you need to protect your kids, and with Disneyland, unfortunately, there were over 40 people that were exposed and were not vaccinated."

"First vaccine you get about age 1, and the second dose you get around kindergarten or first grade," Hernandez said.

Hernandez recommends that if you didn't receive a vaccination at an early age that you contact your medical provider about receiving an immunization.

Most people are vaccinated as kids, however, some parents refuse the vaccination for various reasons, including fears that they can cause autism in young children.

Parents can opt out of vaccinations for religious reasons and personal beliefs.

5 Disneyland employees diagnosed with measles

(CNN) - The happiest place on Earth just got a bit sadder for some of its employees.

Five employees were diagnosed with measles, and three of them have fully recovered, Disneyland says.

"The measles outbreak exposure period of December 17-20 at the Disneyland Resort is over, and all cases from this exposure should have occurred by January 10, 2015," the California Department of Public Health says. "No new cases have been identified in guests who visited after that time period."

Disneyland said it was informed of measles cases among employees on January 15.

After Orange County health officials notified Disneyland of that on January 7, "We immediately began to communicate to our Cast to raise awareness," the theme park's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel said in a statement. Disneyland refers to its employees as cast members.

"In an abundance of caution, we also offered vaccinations and immunity tests. To date, a few Cast Members have tested positive and some have been medically cleared and returned to work. Cast Members who may have come in contact with those who were positive are being tested for the virus. While awaiting results, they have been put on paid leave until medically cleared."

One school in Huntington Beach has barred children who could not prove that they were vaccinated for measles from going to school until January 29, according to the county health agency.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is a respiratory disease caused by a virus and spread through the air. It was considered eradicated in the United States in 2000, though 2014 saw a record-breaking number of confirmed cases: 644 from 27 states, according to the CDC. That's "the highest number of cases since measles elimination was documented in the U.S. in 2000," the CDC says on its website.